It’s one of those beers that you barely have to sip to know that it’s something special.

Queen’s Weiss

Brewery: Arches Brewing

Alcohol by volume: 5.2%

International Bitterness Units: 20

Style: Hefeweizen

Overall: Worthy of being queen

I expected the typical sweet, wheat content that I’ve experienced with many hefeweizen, but this one made me raise my eyebrows.

It’s easy-drinking without being bland, and smooth without relying heavily on malt, like that first plunge of a butter knife into a fresh jar of peanut butter.

Queen’s Weiss also embraces a sourness despite its mellow nature and leaves pleasant subtle notes of banana and cloves.

Arches’ brewmaster — who I was unable to get in contact with in time for print — brewed this flavorful, light-bodied beer with Hallertauer, which is one of the four noble hops.

For those unfamiliar with noble hops, I’d describe them as the traditional hops grown in Central Europe. I first heard about noble hops while living in Braunschweig, Germany, where I learned about the German Beer Purity Law, also known as Reinheitsgebot.

It was established in 1516 and limited the ingredients in beer to only water, malt, hops and yeast. It remained a part of German law until 1987. Although newer, more liberal laws have been in effect since 1993, many German brewers still keep to the old ways and glorify the use of noble hops.

The four varieties –– Tettnang, Saaz, Spalter and Hallertauer –– are commonly found in German-style and Bohemian pilsners, Oktoberfest/Marzen, dunkels and other weizen beers.

These hops are indicative of where they’re grown. For example, Hallertau is grown in the region of Hallertau in Bavaria.

If you’re a fan of beer with noble hops or not, I encourage you to give Queen’s Weiss a shot.

Its inoffensive flavor makes it a nice gateway craft beer for those who aren’t fans of punchy, hoppy brews.

This beer is available on draft at Arches, which is located in Hapeville, just north of the Atlanta airport. People can also find it six-pack cans at most bottle shops around Georgia.